South Somerset

South Somerset's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure and health.

The population passed 160,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of South Somerset increased by 6.8%, from just under 151,000 to 161,000.

The addition of about 10,000 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Somerset was home to, on average, 1.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older South Somerset

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of South Somerset increased by three years, from 41 to 44 years.

This remote area had a higher average age than the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 6,500 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 4,000.

About 14% of people in South Somerset are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and South Somerset by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in South Somerset

The percentage of South Somerset residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

The proportion who reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities remained close to 2.7%, while the percentage of South Somerset residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.5% to 7.4%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 90% in 2001 to 89% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 90% to 90%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in South Somerset, but at a slower rate than across England.

In South Somerset, the proportion of private renting increased from 8.8% in 2001 to 13% in 2011. During the same period, the

Across the South West, the share of privately rented homes increased from 11% to 17%.

The rate of social housing in South Somerset remained close to 14%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 74% to 70%.

Private renting in South Somerset increased by 4.6 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Somerset, the South West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of South Somerset residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.0% to 4.8% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 69% in 2001. The percentage of South Somerset residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 5.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in South Somerset decreased by 3.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in South Somerset, the South West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in South Somerset working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 14% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.0%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 1.8% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 13% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in South Somerset decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in South Somerset, the South West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

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